Adrenal Gland Disorders Summary The adrenal glands are small glands located on top of each kidney. They produce hormones that you can’t live without, including sex hormones and cortisol. Cortisol helps you respond to stress and has many other important functions. With adrenal gland disorders, your glands make too much or not enough hormones. In Cushing’s syndrome, there’s too much cortisol, while with Addison’s disease, there is too little. Some people are born unable to make enough cortisol. Causes of adrenal gland disorders include Genetic mutations Tumors including pheochromocytomas Infections A problem in another gland, such as the pituitary, which helps to regulate the adrenal gland Certain medicines Treatment depends on which problem you have. Surgery or medicines can treat many adrenal gland disorders. NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Array 17-hydroxycorticosteroids 17-OH progesterone 24-hour urinary aldosterone excretion rate ACTH (cosyntropin) stimulation test ACTH blood test Acute adrenal crisis Adrenal glands Adrenalectomy Aldosterone blood test Congenital adrenal hyperplasia Hyperaldosteronism – primary and secondary Diagnosis and Tests 17-Hydroxyprogesterone Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Aldosterone and Renin Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Collection of a 24-Hour Urine Specimen (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Cortisol Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry DHEAS Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Adrenal Gland Disorders? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development X-Ray Exam: Bone Age Study (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Start Here Adrenal Gland Disorders: Condition Information National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Specifics Adrenal Incidentaloma Hormone Health Network Adrenal Insufficiency Hormone Health Network Adrenal Insufficiency and Addison’s Disease National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Adrenoleukodystrophy National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia American Academy of Family Physicians Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Primary Aldosteronism Hormone Health Network MedlinePlus: Adrenal Gland Cancer National Library of Medicine Myth vs. Fact: Adrenal Fatigue Array Primary Aldosteronism Hormone Health Network Virilization Merck & Co., Inc. What Are Some Types of Adrenal Gland Disorders? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Children Blood Test: 17-Hydroxyprogesterone (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Encyclopedia Chloride – urine test Cortisol – urine Cortisol level DHEA-sulfate test Ovarian overproduction of androgens Potassium urine test Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Adrenal Gland Diseases National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital National Institutes of Health Reference Desk Endocrine System (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Teenagers Endocrine System (For Teens) Nemours Foundation Genetics Genetics Home Reference: 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: 21-hydroxylase deficiency National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: autoimmune Addison disease National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 11-beta-hydroxylase deficiency National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: corticosterone methyloxidase deficiency National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: familial hyperaldosteronism National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: intrauterine growth restriction, metaphyseal dysplasia, adrenal hypoplasia congenita, and genital anomalies National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: primary macronodular adrenal hyperplasia National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy National Library of Medicine Related Issues Health Alert: Adrenal Crisis Causes Death in Some People Who Were Treated with hGH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases How Do I Find an Experienced Adrenal Surgeon? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Hypertension Hormone Health Network Find an Expert Hormone Health Network Hormone Health Network National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Treatments and Therapies How Is Adrenal Surgery Performed? American Association of Endocrine Surgeons Laparoscopic Adrenal Gland Removal Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons What Are the Treatments for Adrenal Gland Disorders? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development What Are the Treatments for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Statistics and Research How Many People Are Affected by or at Risk of Adrenal Gland Disorders? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Living With Managing Adrenal Insufficiency National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center Journal Articles Adrenal Gland Disorders Symptoms What Are the Symptoms of Adrenal Gland Disorders? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
